Peach tree named ‘FLATDIVA’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree denominated ‘FLATDIVA’ which have fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet greenish white flesh, with a red pigmentation into and around the stone cavity, and an attractive skin with a high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface, on a washed red background.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘FLATDIVA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘FLATDIVA’.

This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, semi-clingstone white flesh fruits, slightly greenish, with a very slightly red pigmentation around and into the stone cavity, for fresh market at the end of August or early in September in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘FLATDIVA’ white flat peach tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘FLATDIVA’ variety results from a pollinated cross between the ‘FLATSTAR’ white flat peach tree, also known as ‘ASFPBF0798’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,496) which was used as the seed parent, and the ‘NECTARFLORA’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,504) which was used as the pollen parent.

‘FLATDIVA’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, under number 02.2W.20.11.

The ‘FLATDIVA’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a ‘INRA® GF677’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘FLATDIVA’ white flat peach tree blooms at the end of February or early in March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The blooming period is considered medium. However, it was observed that its date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘FLATDIVA’ ripens generally late season, at the end of August or early in September. More particularly, ripening time usually begins from August 12^(th) to September 2^(nd). However, it was observed that its date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing a branch of a tree of the new variety in orchard, bearing a fruit;

FIG. 2 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical fruits after harvesting;

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 4 a close view of three typical specimens of the fruit of the new variety ‘FLATDIVA’ at ripening time, one fruit having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting leaves, fruit flesh, pit and pit cavity of the new variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the flowers, stones and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘FLATDIVA’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; flowering begins at the end of February or early in March. The type of flower is showy with medium petal size. Petals are dark pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruit flesh is greenish white and generally with a red pigmentation onto the stone cavity and around, on approximately 6.0 millimeters. The fruit skin is thick, with a purple red blush on a washed red background. The stone is semi-clingstone and his size is small to medium. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘ASFPBF0798’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,496), its female parent, ‘FLATDIVA’ variety blooms 5 days later and the fruits of ‘FLATDIVA’ variety ripen approximately 10 days later. The maturity of ‘FLATDIVA’ variety is considered late. The fruits skin color of ‘FLATDIVA’ variety is more intense compared to skin color of ‘ASFPBF0798’ variety. Moreover, the fruits of ‘FLATDIVA’ variety are a little more sugary than the fruits of ‘ASFPBF0798’ variety.

Compared to its male parent ‘NECTARFLORA’ while round nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,504), the new variety ‘FLATDIVA’ is a white flat peach tree. The ‘NECTARFLORA’ variety is considered as an early season variety, regarding the fruit maturity. The fruits of ‘NECTARFLORA’ generally ripen at the end of June. On the contrary, the first fruits of ‘FLATDIVA’ generally ripen at the beginning of September. Thus, the ‘FLATDIVA’ variety is considered as a late season variety, regarding the fruit maturity. The flowers of ‘NECTARFLORA’ bloom early in the season whereas the time of blooming for the new variety ‘FLATDIVA’ is considered medium. The leaf glands of ‘FLATDIVA’ variety are reniform in shape, contrary to the leaf glands of ‘NECTARFLORA’ which are circular in shape. Moreover, the flesh of the ‘FLATDIVA’ fruits is considered greenish white whereas the flesh of ‘NECTARFLORA’ is generally considered white.

Compared to ‘FLATMOON’ (not patented) variety, ‘FLATDIVA’ variety blooms approximately at the same time and ‘FLATDIVA’ fruits ripen 5 days earlier. The fruits skin color of ‘FLATDIVA’ variety is more intense compared to skin color of ‘FLATMOON’ variety. Moreover, the ‘FLATDIVA’ variety shows a particularly strong attachment to the stalk, in other words no stalk wrenching occurs. On the contrary, ‘FLATMOON’ variety is susceptible to stalk wrenching. Consequently, the ‘FLATDIVA’ variety is very little sensitive to rot whereas the ‘FLATMOON’ variety is sensitive to rot. After the harvest, the lifespan of ‘FLATMOON’ fruits is short whereas the ‘FLATDIVA’ fruits have a long life both on the trees and after the harvest. Finally, ‘FLATDIVA’ fruits are more sugary (Brix between 17 and 19 degrees) than ‘FLATMOON’ fruits (Brix between 14 and 15 degrees).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree, the following was observed on trees in their third growing season (second year of production) under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘INRA® GF677’ (non-patented) trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large. The tree size the first             year was approximately 200 to 280 cm. The tree was pruned             during each following dormant season to a height of             approximately 250 cm. Current season shoots growth could             reach 80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and             next years) reached a final height of 330 cm including             current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently             reduces to 250 cm the next years.         -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The             whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,             with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0             meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was             about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by             hectare.         -   Vigor.—Considered strong.         -   Productivity.—Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by             thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired             market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with             the prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices             employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not             distinctive of the present variety. A reduce vegetation,             obtained with pruning or green pruning, approximately 1             month or 1 month ½ before harvesting flat fruits,             significantly promotes fruit qualities, especially growth,             color and firmness. Moreover, contamination risks due to             monilia or rot are significantly reduced. ‘FLATDIVA’ variety             is not much sensitive to cracking of pistil cavity, to cork             formation into peduncle cavity or to monilia.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered             homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1             year. Thinning of 2 fruits out of 3 was necessary for the             tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during             the years of observation.         -   Form.—The ‘FLATDIVA’ variety has naturally a semi-flared             shape.         -   Density.—Considered dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.             Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling             requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours             showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases.             Traditionally, flat fruits are more sensitive to critical             low temperatures and to climatic variations, because of the             flower morphology in which the ovule is less protected than             in the classical round fruits. Thus, areas not much exposed             to frost are recommended for trees growth. However             ‘FLATDIVA’ trees seem to be very resistant to critical             frosty weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 63.0 millimeters in diameter when             measured at a distance of approximately 30.0 centimeters             above the soil level.         -   Bark texture.—Considered slightly rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The lenticels             range in size from approximately 2.0 to 4.0 millimeters in             width, and about 1.5 millimeters in height.         -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey             color (RHS Grey 201 D or RHS Black 202 D), whereas the             inside is considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166 B).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color (RHS Grey             201 C or RHS Black 202 C) slightly darker than the outside             of lenticels color. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are             considered medium for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The             current season shoots have a diameter from 5.0 to 7.0             millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter from 15.0             to 19.0 millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old             has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally between 60 degrees and 80             degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular             characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,             however.         -   Current season shoots.—Internode length: Generally between             25.0 and 35.0 millimeters. Color of mature branches: Grey             brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS Grey Brown 199 B).         -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips             is considered pale green (RHS Green 144 A to RHS Green             144 C) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper             part is darker and colored in brown-purple more or less deep             (RHS Greyed Red 187 A to RHS Greyed Red 187 B or RHS Greyed             Red 182 A to RHS Greyed Red 182 C), depending on the level             on the tip and the sunlight exposure. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf             length/leaf width is 4.06.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 142.0 to 191.0 millimeters             without leaf petiole. The medium length is about 162.1             millimeters.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 34.0 to 43.0 millimeters. The             medium width is 39.9 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Short and acuminate.         -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Yellow Green (RHS Yellow             Green 147 A). Lower surface. — A lighter green (RHS Yellow             Green 147 B) than the upper leaf surface color.         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color. — Light green, almost cream white (RHS             Yellow Green 145 D). The color may evolve with maturity.         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or             two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).         -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium. Length. — About             10.0 to about 13.0 millimeters. Diameter. — About 2.0             millimeters.         -   Petioles color.—Upper petiole surface. — Light green (RHS             Yellow Green 144 A to RHS Yellow Green 144 B). Lower             surface. — Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to RHS Yellow             Green 145 B).         -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered medium to large. Their             length is about 2.0 millimeters and their width is about 1.0             millimeter. Number. — Generally 2 glands per leaf. Type. —             Reniform. Margins. — Smooth and regular. Color. — On young             leaves, leaf glands color is considered a light green (RHS             Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf glands color turns to a             dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS Grey Brown 199 B).         -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.             But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves             uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or             3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of             development, the floral buds are conic in form with a round             tip. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variables             dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are between             10.0 and 11.0 millimeters wide and between 21.0 and 22.0             millimeters long. Color. — This characteristic is dependent             upon the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of             development, the bottom of the flowers buds, formed by the             sepals, is of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to             RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B or RHS             Grey Brown Group 199 A near the base). The corolla, formed             by the petals, is generally of pink color (RHS Red Purple 65             B or RHS Red Purple 69 C). Petals color shows an evolution             until the end of flowering.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,             with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in             January. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed             a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42             degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and             30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins at the end             of February or early in March. The first bloom was observed             on Mar. 11, 2012.         -   Blooming time.—Considered medium in relative comparison to             other commercial peach cultivars grown in the             Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full             bloom is observed generally at the middle of the blooming             period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic             conditions and cultural practices. Thus the full bloom was             observed in 2012, from Mar. 11 until Mar. 19 and then from             Feb. 21 until Mar. 8, 2013.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately between 9 to 15 days. This             characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full             bloom is approximately 27.0 to 34.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately between             40 and 45 flowers per meter, with a high rate of fruit set.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1.         -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered medium. Length:             Generally between 20.0 and 22.0 millimeters. The medium             length is 21.0 millimeters. Width: Generally between 14.0             and 17.0 millimeters. The medium width is about 15.3             millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round-shaped to elongated.         -   Petal count.—Generally 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth, soft and glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a             dark Pink (RHS Red Purple 73 B to RHS Red Purple 73 D) when             young, becoming slightly darker until the end of blooming.         -   Fragrance.—Sweet.         -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a             triangular form, narrow at the base. Length. — About 2.0             millimeters. Width. — About 1.0 millimeter at the base.             Color. — The petal claw usually shows a similar color than             the petal color (RHS Red Purple 73 B to RHS Red Purple 73             C).         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered wavy, sinuate.         -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally             round or in a slight curve.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium and having an             average length of approximately 3.0 millimeters. Diameter. —             Considered average, approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.             Color. — Light green (RHS Yellow Green N144 B to RHS Yellow             Green N144 B).         -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth and glabrous.             Color. — The inner surface of the calyx is green yellow (RHS             Yellow Group 13 A to RHS Yellow Group 13 B or RHS Yellow             Orange Group 17 A or RHS Yellow Green 150 A to RHS Yellow             Green 150 B). The outer surface of the calyx is considered             of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed             Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B) and yellow green             near the base of the calyx (RHS Yellow green 144 A to RHS             Yellow Green 144 B).         -   Sepals.—Surface texture. — The outer surface has a short,             fine pubescent texture. Size. — Medium. Length. —             Approximately 5.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 4.0             millimeters. Form. — Conic and round at the top. Color. —             Both sides of sepals are colored with a matt Red (RHS Greyed             Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Grey Purple             187 B).         -   Anthers.—Generally. — Medium in length. Color. — At an early             stage of maturity, anthers are colored with an orange yellow             (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS Yellow Orange 16 B) or an             orange red color (RHS Red Group N34 A or RHS Greyed Red             Group 178 A).         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has an orange             yellow color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to RHS             Yellow Orange 17 C) which may evolve with maturity. The             present variety is considered auto-fertile             (self-pollinating).         -   Filaments.—Size. — Medium length, between 13.0 and 18.0             millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally higher             than the pistil's length. Color: Considered white (RHS White             N 155 D) or pale pink (RHS Red Purple 62 C to RHS Red Purple             62 D). The color becomes darker during the blooming. Average             number of stamens per flower. — Generally between 42 and 48.         -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1. Generally. — Average in size.             Length. — Approximately 11.0 to 14.0 millimeters including             the ovary. Generally smaller than or equal to filaments in             length. Color. — Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow             Green Group 151 D). The color evolves during the blooming to             become more and more pale green (RHS Yellow Green Group             150 D) and sometimes very slightly pink (RHS Red Group 36 D)             at the end of blooming. Ovary. — The pubescence is present. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm in ripe conditions             (shipping ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 12, 2011.         -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly             with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘FLATDIVA’             variety has a late date of picking, and a grouped maturity.             The maturity is grouped within 7 to 10 days and the harvest             is generally performed in two runs. Last known picking times             carry on Aug. 12 to Aug. 20, 2011, then on Aug. 26 to Sep.             2, 2012, then on Sep. 2 to Sep. 11, 2013.         -   Size.—Generally. — Homogeneous in size. Considered medium to             large.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 72.0 to 76.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 43.0 to 46.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally between 140.0 and 150.0 grams.             This characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Round and flattened, generally with             few bump. The fruit is generally uniform in symmetry, viewed             from the suture's plane.         -   Suture.—Fruit suture: Wide-mouthed and slightly marked,             extending from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing             or stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.             Color. — The suture has generally a similar color to the             whole fruit color, which is purple red (RHS Greyed Purple             N186 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A).         -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth.         -   Apex.—Slightly depressed.         -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 9.0             to 12.0 millimeters. Average width is about 14.0 to 16.0             millimeters.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered thick and strong, and             the adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium,             depending on the fruit maturity. Texture. — Very smooth for             a peach variety. Taste. — Semi-sweet, sugary. Tendency to             crack. — None observed.         -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is purple red (RHS             Greyed Purple N186 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A). The purple             red blush covers 90% of the fruit skin surface on a washed             red background (RHS Greyed Red 181 A) on approximately 10%             of the fruit skin surface. The percentage of the blush on             the fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally dependant             upon the prevailing conditions under which the fruit was             grown. Ground color. — The ground color covers approximately             10% of the fruit skin surface, and is considered washed red             (RHS Greyed Red 181 A).         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 6.0 to 7.0             millimeters. Diameter: Approximately 4.0 millimeters. Color:             Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to RHS Yellow Green 145             B).         -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a             long shelf life. Texture. — Very firm, very dense, crunchy,             melting, juicy at harvest maturity stage. Fibers. — Not             fibrous. Aroma. — Very pronounced. Eating quality. —             Considered very good, aromatic. Flavor. — Considered             semi-sweet. The Brix is generally superior to 17 and acidity             comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. Juice. — Juicy to very             juicy at complete maturity. Brix. — Generally 18.0 to 19.0             degrees. This characteristic varies slightly with the number             of fruit per tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the             surrounding climatic conditions. Flesh color. — The flesh is             considered greenish white (RHS Green White 157 D) usually             with a red pigmentation (RHS Red 46 A) both into the stone             cavity and around the stone cavity, on approximately 6.0             millimeters around the stone cavity. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Semi-Clingstone, more or less semi-adherent depending             on the fruit maturity.         -   Size.—Considered small to medium for the variety. The stone             size varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor,             crop load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 20.0 to 21.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 18.0 to 19.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 13.0 to 14.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Flattened.         -   Base.—Straight.         -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is flattened.         -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium size, with flattened form             and dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.         -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely             furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are deeper and more             oblate on lateral sides. Ridges. — The surface texture is             generally characterized by more prominent ridges along the             ventral edges and at the apical tip.         -   Ventral edge.—Width. — Between 3.0 and 4.0 millimeters at             mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 165 B or             RHS Greyed Orange 165 C).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent.         -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel is considered small to medium.             Length. — Approximately 9.0 millimeters. Width. —             Approximately 8.0 millimeters. Thickness. — Approximately             7.0 millimeters. Form. — Considered flattened and elliptic.             Sometimes double. Pellicle. — The pellicle of the kernel has             a short pubescence. Color. — The kernel skin is orange-brown             colored (RHS Greyed Orange 165 A to RHS Greyed Orange 165             B). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is white             (RHS White 155 D) and has a bitter tasting. The kernel and             its embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘FLATDIVA’ is considered to be a             white flat peach tree having a late season of maturity, and             which produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively             colored in purple red. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and             are excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting             when at full maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative             qualities. Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density,             they can also be commercialized as 4^(th) range product             (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example). And they are             also useful for both local and very long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation             and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth             completion and after harvesting without alteration. After             growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week.             After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 2 weeks             at 2.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new             white flat peach variety showed minimal bruising of the             flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal             harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to             handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life             without alteration after harvest easily permit 2             weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very             sensitive to Monilia or rot. The pistil cavity is completely             closed, generally without any cork formation.

Although the new variety of white flat peach tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet greenish white flesh, with a red pigmentation into and around the stone cavity, and an attractive skin with a high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface, on a washed red background. 